Beautify Central Elementary Central Elementary seeks a makeover

Fundraising to finance new sign, landscaping at main entrance

By Victoria A.F. CamronLongmont Times-Call

Posted:
03/21/2013 07:46:16 PM MDT

Updated:
03/21/2013 08:01:25 PM MDT

From left, Central Elementary fourth-graders Adam Benes, Austin Madden, and Rhyse Campion leave the school Thursday afternoon. Central is raising money to beautify its main entry way with a new sign and landscaping. "The idea is to create a welcoming entrance," PTO chair Stephanie Benes said.
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LEWIS GEYER
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Beautify Central Elementary

What: A project to put a sign near the school's main entrance, replace landscaping and install benches at the school.

How to help: Donations can be dropped off at the school, 1020 Fourth Ave., Longmont, or made via PayPal at centralpto.org/2013-beautification-campaign.

But the school's main entrance is on Bross Street, designated by a blue and white plastic banner -- not something principal Jim Hecocks considers appropriate for the city's oldest school.

So when the parent-teacher organization asked Hecocks if there was anything he'd like the group to pay for, he suggested beautifying the main entrance to highlight the school's historical significance.

"That plastic sign just wasn't meeting it for me," Hecocks said.

The beautification plan is to install bronze letters on the eastern face of the school, near the entrance, and replace the landscaping there. In addition, school leaders want to install three benches around the playground area and the preschool entrance.

"The neighbors use the school a lot," said Steph Benes, chairwoman of the PTO.

The first, two-room schoolhouse -- then named Franklin School -- opened in 1878. Additions were made in 1881 and 1908.

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Hanging on the wall near the main entrance, a few historical pictures show the early building's outside balcony and bell tower.

"Central had an unobstructed view of the mountains when it was first opened," Hecocks said.

The intermediate school -- the wing to the right of the main entrance -- was built in 1950.

In 1991, the two buildings were connected, with the media center, the cafeteria and what is now a literacy classroom, and remodeled.

An artist's rendering of Central Elementary s entrance with the proposed new sign. New landscaping, not pictured, will be installed as well.
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LEWIS GEYER
)

The district also sandblasted the pale yellow paint off the building to make the original red brick visible again, said teacher Darlene Braach.

Central Elementary was designated a Longmont historical landmark in 1976.

The PTO has pledged $3,500 to pay for the beautification project, and the St. Vrain Valley School District is matching that amount.

But the school is seeking donations from alumni, community members and businesses to fully fund the $10,500 project. About $2,900 of the $3,500 goal has been raised, according to the PTO's website.

The goal is to raise the funds by May 1, so the work can be done over the summer, Hecocks said.

The school is working with the district's grounds crew in deciding new landscaping.

"We'll want something that provides color throughout the year," Hecocks said. Of course, the new plants will be drought-resistant, he added.

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